It is becoming increasingly apparent
that drones are here to stay, and our
membership is beginning to embrace
these aircraft with new and exciting
activities requiring skill and dexterity
to become proficient. Yes, a drone, or
multirotor, is as much an aircraft as
anything we historically have flown
throughout the 80 years that the AMA
has been in existence. The difference
appears to be the pilot!

I know there are many who can’t stand
the thought of carving out a place for
these new pilots to have fun with their
machines, but only good things can come
from it. By embracing these people who
are no different from you and me in their
desire to have fun flying, we will not only
educate them in the safe and responsible
way to participate, but also give them a
place to fly and some new ways to have
fun.

When I say, “carve out a place,” I
mean exactly that. A multirotor doesn’t
require much area in which to operate. If
there is a small, safe area somewhere on
your field, that is a perfect place. One of
our fields near Newport News, Virginia,
simply cut a path through and around
in the tall weeds adjacent to its primary
runway and out of the way to make a
great FPV obstacle course. There are
many setups that will allow all kinds of
activities in a small area.

To protect our right to fly, we must
make every attempt to bring these new
pilots into the group and educate them.

This is the best way to do that. I hear
the drone pilots say, “I don’t need to join
the AMA. What can they offer me that
I don’t already have?” We can offer not
only a safe place to fly and learn, but also
the camaraderie of friends sharing in the
common activity of flight.

Here is a report on Helis Over Delaware

2015 from Scott McClurg.

Loud music, louder engines, and 107

helicopter pilots dedicated to having
fun—that was Helis Over Delaware

2015, put on by the Delaware R/C Club
on July 24-25 at Lums Pond State Park.

Co-contest directors, Bob Chapman and
Ron Riccio, packed exciting activities
into two full days. The flying was
nonstop from morning until dark.

Helis Over Delaware is a family-friendly event that attracts some of the
most skilled pilots in the country. This
year, it also attracted five professional
teams: Horizon Hobby, Futaba, Synergy,
Align, and SAB. If you were looking for
extreme 3-D flying, this was the event
for you because pilots put on a dazzling
noontime show.

You don’t have to be a professional
to participate. Pilots of all skill levels are
welcome, and AMA-certified trainer,
Dave Halverson, was on hand, providing
lessons to first-time helicopter pilots
using a buddy box.